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Boston courthouse evacuated amid bombing investigation

The Joe Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston was evacuated Wednesday because of a bomb threat while media and spectators gathered outside on reports that a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings was in custody.

A crowd of reporters with cameras had gathered outside the courthouse after several media organizations reported that a man was in custody or arrested in the case of the Boston Marathon bombings, which killed three and injured more than 170. But the courthouse was shut down and evacuated Wednesday afternoon.

A "code red" announcement was made over the public address system in the courthouse, and the building was quickly evacuated.

Homeland Security officials and armed U.S. marshals were already patrolling the courthouse before the bomb threat. After the evacuation, explosives experts, fire engines and more police descended on the courthouse.

The building was reopened to employees at 4:15 p.m. after the all-clear was given.

In addition to the media, hundreds of spectators gathered at the courthouse because of the reports of someone in custody in connection to the Boston Marathon bombings. The crowd included some marathon runners who said they needed to see what was going on.